Vehicle with drive shaft coupled to forward extremity of engines



Dec. 11, 1951 sM 2,578,156

VEHICLE WITH DRIVE SHAFT COUPLED TO FORWARD EXTREMITY OF ENGINES Filed Jan. 24, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

O/l'ver Ross Sm/fh A T TORNE YS SMITH VEHICLE WITH DRIVE SHAFT COUPLED TO FORWARD Dec. 11, 195] EXTREMITY OF ENGINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 24, 1947 @5255; l dfwlfflff I INVENTOR. O/IVQI R055 5m/f 7 .4 TTORNEYS Dec. 11, 195] Filed Jan. 24, 1947 O. R. SMITH VEHICLE WITH DRIVE SHAFT COUPLED TO FORWARD EXTREMITY OF ENGINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 'allll'uj I INVENTOR. Oliver Ross Smith A TTOR NE Y6 Dec. 11, 1951 Q SMITH 2,578,156

VEHICLE WITH DRIVE SHAFT COUPLED TO FORWARD v EXTREMITY OF ENGINES Filed Jan. 24, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [53 DRIVEN MEMBER m9 v I r50; m2 2 I T "I {33 0/39 ill 52E N s1 NE I LII na wcu MEMBER I .Q 152 m 745 Z I I53 Oliver Ross Smith l2 a i ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 11, 1951 VEHICLE WITH DRIVE SHAFT COUPLED TO FORWARD EXTREMITY OF ENGINES Oliver Ross Smith, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application January 24, 1947, Serial No. 723,995

2 Claims. (01. 180-49) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicles and more particularly to self-propelled vehicles of the trailer type.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle of such construction as to be capable of being employed as a trailer for portably supporting various power driven mechanisms, such as, portable welding machines, air compressors, pumps, etc., and which, if desired, may be propelled by means of the mechanism supported thereon or its prime mover.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle having means for transmitting power from a mechanism supported thereon to one or more sets of ground driving wheels without interfering with the normal operation of the mechanism.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle, of the character described, having clutch means interposed between its supported mechanism and driving wheels for rendering the same inoperative during the normal operation of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle, of the character described, wherein the power transmitting means may have driving connection with the mechanism supported thereon or its source of power in accordance with the characteristics of the mechanism whereby the vehicle is adaptable for use with various mechanisms of diiferent types.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle, of the character described, wherein the power transmitting mechanism may have driving connection forwardly, rearwardly or laterally of the primer mover of the mechanism either independently of said mechanism or by means of the same.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle, constructed in accordance with the invention, having a power driven mechanism and its prime mover mounted thereon,

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the rear portion of the vehicle, showing the relation of its power transmitting means to the mechanism mounted thereon,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view,

showing the connection between the power transmitting means and the mechanism,

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of a modified form of vehicle, showing the power transmitting means connected to the forward end of the prime mover,

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, having portions broken away, of a vehicle similar to the vehicle shown in Fig. 4 and having its power transmitting means connected to its front and rear wheels,

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view of the clutch connected in the front wheel power transmitting means,

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the vehicle shown in Fig. ,5,

Fig. 8 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, showing the connection of the power transmitting means to one of the front wheels,

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view, showing the connection of the steering mechanism to one of the front wheels,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a modified form of vehicle, having its power transmitting means connected to the side of the prime mover.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a portion of the vehicle shown in Fig. 10, and

Fig. 12 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, taken on the line I2l2 of Fig. 11.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a vehicle having a substantially rectangular chassis or frame H and front and rear axles l2 and I3 upon which suitable wheels I4 and I5, respectively, are mounted. The vehicle has an extremely short wheel-base and its front wheels I 4 are adapted to be steered by the usual steering mechanism which includes a steering post 16 and wheel I1. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 2, a conventional diiferential I8 is connected to the rear axles l3 and has a suitable sprocket l9 mounted upon its rearwardly projecting drive shaft 20. The sprocket I9 is connected by an endless chain 2| to a similar sprocket 22 disposed above said sprocket l9 and carried by the rearwardly-projecting driven shaft 23 of a gear box or transmission 24. It is preferable to enclose the chain 2| and sprockets l9 and 22 in a suitable housing 25 which is secured to the frame H.

The transmission 24 is of the usual construction,'being actuated by a gear shift lever 26. For supporting the transmission above and to the rear of the diiferential IS, a mounting bracket 21 extends upwardly from the rear portion of the frame and preferably serves to enclose said transmission. A suitable seat 28 for the operator of the vehicle is secured to the frame to the left of the transmission. Due to the disposition of the transmission and seat adjacent the rear portion of the vehicle frame, ample space is provided at the forward end intermediate portions thereof for supporting portable mechanisms or machines and their prime movers without increasing the length of said frame. The short length of the vehicle is essential to its mobility over rough terrain. In order to permit towing of the vehicle or the towing of other vehicles, suitable hitches 29 and 30 are provided at the front and rear of the frame I I.

In Fig. l, a power driven mechanism 3| is shown as mounted upon the forward portion of the vehicle frame and is of such length relative to said frame as to extend substantially beyond its intermediate portion. The mechanism 3| has been illustrated in the form of a portable welding machine, having a prime mover or engine 32 and a generator 33, but may be of an entirely different type, such as an air compressor or pump (not shown). In other words, the mech-- anism supported by the vehicle, in itself, forms no part of the present invention, and its construction is subject to variation. The essence of the invention is the provision of a relatively short vehicle for portably supporting mechanisms of various types capable of traveling over rough terrain and adapted to be towed or to utilize the power of the supported mechanism for self-propelling the same.

As is most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the generator 33 has its rear end terminating adjacent the transmission 24 and is provided with an adapter 34 having an annular boss 35 surrounding its armature shaft 36. The transmission has a forwardly-projecting drive shaft 31 disposed in axial alinement with the generator shaft 36 with its forward extremity adjacent the rear end of said shaft 36. A friction disk clutch 3B is carried by the transmission shaft 31 and includes an annular housing 39 having a forward end or closure plate 45 disposed contiguous the adapter boss 35. The plate 40 is connected to the generator shaft 36 by an axial collar 4| which is screw-threaded upon said shaft and which is supported within the adapter boss by a suitable ball bearing assembly 42. Thus, the clutch housing 39 is freely rotatable with and driven by rotation of the generator shaft. For supporting the transmission shaft, a ball bearing assembly 43 is confined upon the reduced forward end thereof within the bore of the collar 4|. A cylindrical hub 44 is keyed or otherwise secured to the transmission shaft as shown by the numeral 45 and has its forward portion disposed within the clutch housing. Suitable clutch plate 46 is slidably mounted upon the forward portion of the hub 44 as shown by the numeral 46' and a plate 46a is rigidly secured to hub 44, as by a key or other means 46a as shown in Fig. 3. Friction elements or disks 41 are confined therebetween. Interposed between the friction disks 4? is a third clutch plate or head 48 which is connected to the clutch housing 39 by radial projections or bolts 49 engaging within slots 59 formed in the external periphery of said housing. The clutch head 48 isfreely rotatable relative to the hub 44 and is preferably spaced from said hub by an internal bearing ring which is confined between the plates 46. The disks 4'! also encircle the bearing ring and may be carried by the plates or be rotatable relative to the hub. It is pointed out that the combined thickness of the disks 41 and head 48 is greater than the length of the bearing ring 5| to provide spaces between the plates 46 and 45a and said ring so as to permit the free rotation of said clutch head.

For slidably confining the clutch elements upon the hub 44, a suitable actuator 52 is keyed or otherwise secured to the intermediate portion of said hub and includes a plurality of rollers on rolling keys 53 for engaging the rearmost plate 46. A suitable collar or nut 54 is threaded upon the hub for confining the rolling keys 53 in place. The roller keys 53 slidably support an inner ring 55 upon which a sectional or split ring 55 is rotatably mounted. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 2, external lugs 51 are formed on the outer surface of the split ring 55 and are adapted to be engaged by the arms of a yoke 58 which is pivotally supported by a suitable bracket 59. For pivoting the yoke so as to slide the actuator 52, relative to the hub, an upright lever is connected to the yoke by a transverse rod 5 5. Since the inner ring 55 is rotatably mounted in the outer ring 55 of the actuator, said inner ring and the rolling keys 53 may rotate relative to said outer ring and the yoke 58.

Whenever it is desired to propel the vehicle by means of the prime mover of the mechanism supported thereupon, such as the engine 32 of the welding machine 3|, the lever 69 is swung forwardly so as to pivot the yoke 58 forwardly and thereby move the actuator 52 toward the clutch housing 39. The rolling keys 53 are urged forwardly by this movement of the actuator into positive engagement with the rearmost plate '13. Since the bearin ring 5| is of less length than the combined thickness of the friction disk ll and clutch head 48, the rearmost plate 46 is slid forwardly so as to clamp said disks in frictional engagement with said clutch head. Due to the constant rotation of the clutch head by its connection with the clutch housing 39, such rotation is imparted to the hub 44 and the shaft 31' for driving the transmission 24 which, in turn, drives the differential l8 and the rear axles l3. It is pointed out that the clutch 38 may be released to permit shifting of the lever 25 whenever it is desired to vary the speed transmitted by the transmission. Upon release of the clutch, only the clutch housing and its connected plates are rotated by the generator shaft 35. Thus, there is no interference with the normal operation of the generator.

Due to the nature of the mechanism to be supported by the vehicle, it is frequently desirable to obtain the power for propelling said ve hicle from the forward end of the prime mover of said mechanism. In Fig. 4, a modified form of vehicle 19 is shown, being similar to the vehicle Ill, and having a similar frame 7|, front and rear axles l2 and i3, front and rear wheels 14 and 15, transmission l6 differential fl and seat 18. It is noted that the transmission is disposed forwardly of the differential l! in substantial alinement therewith and is connected directly thereto. The transmission has its drive shaft 19 suspended from the vehicle frame H by a self-alining roller bearing assembly 85. A universal drive shaft 5| connects the transmission shaft 19 to a stub-shaft 82 upon which a friction disk clutch 33, similar to the clutch is mounted, the stub-shaft being supported upon the frame H by a suitable bearing assembly 313. The clutch 233 includes an actuator 85 which is adapted to be reciprocated relative to said clutch by a pivoted yoke 86 and an elongated operating rod. or a lever 81. A second drive shaft 88, sup-ms ported by suitable bearings 89 forwardly of the clutch, is connected to the housing of said clutch as shown by the numeral 90. The shaft 88 is adapted to be driven by the prime mover of the mechanism supported by the vehicle and has a drive sprocket 9| mounted thereon.

The mechanism is indicated generally by the numeral 92 and the prime mover of said mechanism has the forward end of its crankshaft 93 exposed in the usual manner for receiving one or more drive pulleys 94. A suitable sprocket 95 is mounted upon the exposed forward end of the crankshaft 93 and is drivingly connected to the sprocket 9| by an endless chain 96. In this manner, the sprocket 9I, shaft 88 and clutch housing 90 are constantly driven upon rotation of the crankshaft 93 and sprocket 95. Upon forward movement of the actuator 85, the clutch 83 is engaged, in the same manner as the clutch 38, so as to transmit the rotation of the shaft 88 to the shafts 82, 8| and 'I9and thereby drive the transmission I6. When the clutch is released, its housing together with the shaft 88 and sprocket 9| are the only portions of the drive connection which are rotated by operation of the prime mover.

In Figs. 5 to 9, the vehicle I is shown provided with a four wheel drive assembly which includes forward axle housings 9'! and a differential 98. to the universal shaft BI and connects the forward differential 98 to a drive shaft I00 which is rotatably supported by suitable bearings IIII adjacent and to one side of the transmission 76.

The shaft I00 carries a friction disk clutch I02 and this clutch is connected by an endless chain I03 to a sprocket I04 interposed between the transmission "I6 and the rear differential TI. As is clearly shown in Fig. 6, the clutch I02 is similar to the clutches 38 and 83 and includes a flanged hub I05 which is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft I00 as shown by the numeral I05. Slidably and rotatably mounted upon the hub I05 are a pair of clutch plates I06 having friction disks I01 confined therebetween. A sprocket I08 is interposed between the friction disks I01 and functions as a clutch head or plate for transmitting rotation to the clutch and the shaft I00. The clutch I92 includes an actuator I09 which is slidably supported upon the huh I 05 by rolling keys I I0 and is confined thereupon by means of a suitable nut or retaining collar III screw-threaded upon the forward end of said hub. The actuator I 09 is reciprocated longitudinally of the clutch hub by a suitable linkage II2. Upon rearward movement of the actuator, the plates I06 are slid rearwardly toward the flange of the clutch hub so as to clamp the friction disks I01 in frictional engagement with the sprocket I08 and thereby establish a driving connection between the shaft I00 and the sprocket I04. Upon release of the clutch, the sprocket I08 is free to rotate relative to the other elements of the clutch I02.

As is most clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, each front axle housing 91 has a drive shaft II 3 rotatably supported therein and connected by a universal joint II4 to a floating shaft II5 for transmitting rotation from the front diiferential 98 to the front wheels I4. To support the front wheels, a yoke H6 is formed on the outer end of each axle housing and has a U-shaped bracket III pivotally connected thereto by suitable pins II 8. The U-shaped bracket I I I has a cylindrical sleeve II 9 made integral therewith A universal shaft 09 extends parallel 6 for receiving and rotatably supporting the floating shaft II 5. A conventional brake drum or housing I20 is rotatably supported upon the sleeve III! and is confined thereupon by a suitable nut I2I which is screw-threaded upon the outer end of said sleeve. The floating shaft H5 is connected to the drum I20 by a plate I 22 whichis secured to the outer end of said shaft and bolted to said drum. The wheels I4 art adapted to be fastened to their respective drums by means of suitable bolts I23 and said drums coact with a conventional brake flange I24 preferably bolted to the bracket I I 1 in surrounding relation to the floating shaft and the inner portion of the drum. By means of this construction, rotation of the axle shaft H3 is transmitted by the universal joint. II 4', floating shaft H5 and plate I22 to the brake drum I20 to which the Wheels I4 are secured by the bolts I23. Due to the provision of the universal joint, the wheels may be steered or turned without interfering with the rotation of said wheels.

The steering mechanism of the vehicle is of conventional construction and includes the usual steering post I25, linkage I26 and tie rod I21. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 9, the tie rod I27 has its ends pivotally connected to arms I28 which are preferably made integral or otherwise secured to the lower legs of each U-shaped bracket I I I. By rotation of the steering post I in the usual manner, the arms I28 and their brackets I I! are pivoted relative to the yoke I I6 so as to turn the front wheels 14 of the vehicle.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12, a further modified form of vehicle I30 shown and includes a frame or chassis I3I having the usual rear axles I32 and differential I33. A transmission I34 is mounted forwardly of and connected directly to the differential I33, while a friction disk clutch I35 is disposed forwardly of the transmission and has an actuator I36 associated therewith. The clutch and actuator are substantially identical to the clutch 38 and the actuator 52, being operated by means of a lever I31 and Y transverse rod I38 which are similar to the lever 60 and rod BI of the first form of the invention. A stub shaft I39 is connected to the housing of the clutch I35 and projects forwardly thereof for receiving a sprocket I40 which is driven by an endless chain I 4| and a sprocket I42. The latter is carried by the rear end of a longitudinal drive shaft I43, disposed adjacent one side of the frame I3I and having a similar sprocket I44 mounted on its forward end. An endless chain I45 drivingly connects the sprocket 44 to a sprocket I46 disposed thereabove and this sprocket is connected by a jaw clutch I41 to a similar sprocket I48.

The mechanism supported by the vehicle I30 includes a driven member I49 and its engine or prime mover I50, the latter being disposed forwardly of the driven member and being drivingly connected thereto by a suitable shaft I5I. In order to provide a side or lateral power take-off, a sprocket I52 is carried by the shaft I5I between the engine and the driven member. Due to the provision of the sprocket I48, power may be transmitted from the sprocket I52 by means of an endless chain I53 which passes over said sprockets. Upon engagement of the clutch I 35, power is transmitted from the engine I to the transmission I34 and from said transmission to the differential I33 and rear axles I32. In order to eliminate the necessity of constantly driving all of the elements of the drive connection, the

jaw clutch 141 may be disengaged during normal operation of the mechanism whereby only the chain I53, the sprocket I48 and one jaw of said clutch is driven by the engine I50.

From the foregoing, it is believed to be readily apparent that a simple vehicle for portably supporting power driven mechanisms has been provided. The wheel base of the vehicle is sufficiently short to permit travel of the same over rough or irregular terrain and facilitates the hauling or transporting of the same whenever desirable or necessary. As has been pointed out, the vehicle may be towed or may be self-propelled by utilizing the power developed by the prime mover of the mechanism supported by said vehicle. This power may be obtained through the driven member of the mechanism or directly from the front or side of the prime mover. In addition, the vehicle may have a conventional rear wheel drive or may be provided with an auxiliary front wheel drive whereby the vehicle may be driven solely by the rear wheels or by all four wheels.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vehicle having a primemover removably mounted thereon including, a frame supporting the prime mover, front and rear axles supporting the frame, ground wheels rotatably moved on the axles, a differential connected in the rear axle, a transmission mounted on said frame and adjacent the rear thereof and having driving connection with the difierential, a clutch mounted on said frame and having a driven member connected with the transmission, the clutch having a driving member engageable with the driven member, a drive connection extending forwardly from said clutch driving member and longitudinally of said frame beneath the prime mover, and means detachably connecting the last-named drive connection to the forward portion of said prime mover.

2. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 including, a differential connected in the forward axle, a second drive connection operatively secured to and extending rearwardly from the forward differential and longitudinally of the frame beneath the mechanism, and clutch means releasably connecting the second drive connection to the first-named driving connection between the rear differential and transmission.

OLIVER ROSS SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,350,668 Oversmith Aug. 24, 1920 1,536,081 Dean May 5, 1925 1,592,970 Dernier July 20, 1926 1,623,221 Weimer Apr. 5, 1927 2,062,532 Smalley Dec. 1, 1936 2,075,564 Alden Mar. 30, 1937 2,232,992 Alexander Feb. 25, 1941 2,244,063 Hobart June 3, 1941 2,280,357 Spase Apr. 21, 1942 2,329,916 Lamb et a1. Sept. 21, 1943 2,352,301 Welles June 27, 1944 2,375,205 Barras May 8, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 824,285 France Nov. 3, 1937 

